My fellowship has been the most impactful personal and professional development opportunity of my life. I wanted a post-college experience that would push my limits, expand my comfort zone, and help me discern the next steps in my career journey. And this has been the case.
Fellow’s Support
Medical Insurance while on site
CISI: Basic Medical Insurance Coverage, Medical Evacuation & Security Evacuation Coverage
Princeton in Africa provides basic supplemental medical insurance as well as medical evacuation and security evacuation insurance coverage through Cultural Insurance Services International (www.culturalinsurance.com) through the “World Class Coverage Plan.” CISI provides basic medical insurance coverage, medical Evacuation & security evacuation coverage
Mental Health Support
Princeton in Africa is Partnered with The KonTerra Group to provide our Fellows with mental and emotional health counseling through their Employee Resilience Program. Please view details about this program here and FAQs here.
Princeton in Africa is dedicated to the full health and wellbeing of our Fellows but understands the sensitive nature of issues one may face while living and working abroad. PiAf staff members are always here to speak to, but we recommend using this professional and ever-available resource if you are overwhelmed. This service is entirely confidential, and the counselors are independent of Princeton in Africa.
Check-ins with staff
PiAf program staff are available via email, phone, and video call to support Fellows as they work through any challenges that arise in the workplace, such as figuring out how to be more productive if their job description is not as clear as planned, strategies to deal with transitions in the office if a supervisor leaves, or figuring out how to navigate working in a different culture. Staff spend time throughout the fellowship year sending check-in emails to each Fellow, hosting Skype calls, and meeting with Fellows individually during Orientation, the Retreat, and site visits.
Alumni Mentorship
Created by the PiAf Alumni Network, the Princeton in Africa Alumni Mentoring Program serves as a resource and additional support system for PiAf Fellows. Many participants have found this program rewarding, as it establishes meaningful connections across PiAf classes by pairing current fellows with alumni. Alumni help fellows navigate current fellowship posts, provide career or personal advice, and more! 87% of the 2020-21 Fellows found that the Alumni Mentor program added value to their fellowship experience.
Alumni-Led Affinity Groups
The 2022-23 fellowship cycle will be the 3rd year we are implementing alumni-led affinity groups. PiAf Affinity Groups were designed so that Fellows could have the support of designated alumni, as well as one another when it comes to personal and professional challenges and/or opportunities they encounter that might be related to certain aspects of their identities.
Our organized affinity groups include:
- Black Fellows
- Non-Black Persons of Color
- White Accountability
- LGBTQIA+ Fellows
- Non-US Passport Holding Fellows
- Fellows with More Professional Experience (2+ years)
Each group will have one designated alum to lead an introductory session, as well as a list of alumni they are free to reach out to throughout the year. After the introductory meeting, each group will be led by a current Fellow for the remainder of the year. Conversations held within these groups are private as long as nothing discussed reveals any sort of health, safety, and security emergency for a Fellow. Alumni facilitators will encourage Fellows to reach out directly to staff if any significant issues arise.
Within the last two years, our affinity groups have acted as great support systems for our Fellows, creating a space for open and honest discussion, and forging bonds between Fellows and alumni. In a survey taken of 2020-21 Fellows, 56% participated in an alumni-led affinity group. We hope to grow this project further as we welcome new Fellows to the PiAf family.
Our History
In 1999, a group of Princeton alumni, faculty, and staff launched Princeton in Africa as an independent affiliate of Princeton University inspired by the University’s informal motto, “Princeton in the Nation’s Service and in the Service of All Nations.” In 2010, the program opened up to include graduates of any US accredited university in order to meet the growing demand from host organizations and allow more young professionals access to the unique opportunities afforded by PiAf. During the past 20 years, we have placed over 600 Fellows with more than 100 organizations in 36 countries, while developing more strategic partnerships across Africa and creating more opportunities for our alumni community to engage with the continent and with one another.